Comedian Shappi Khorsandi, fourth from left, and 10 other inspirational refugees who have joined forces with charity Migrant Help to reframe public perceptions as the world marks International Migrants' Day. PA
Comedian Shappi Khorsandi, fourth from left, and 10 other inspirational refugees who have joined forces with charity Migrant Help to reframe public perceptions as the world marks International Migrants' Day. PA
Comedian Shappi Khorsandi, fourth from left, and 10 other inspirational refugees who have joined forces with charity Migrant Help to reframe public perceptions as the world marks International Migrants' Day. PA
Comedian Shappi Khorsandi, fourth from left, and 10 other inspirational refugees who have joined forces with charity Migrant Help to reframe public perceptions as the world marks International Migrant

International Migrants’ Day: Diverse stories of refugees' struggle captured in one image


Marwa Hassan
  • English
  • Arabic

One is a DJ from Ethiopia, another a graffiti artist and chef from Afghanistan. They sit alongside a budding baker from Ukraine and a female comedian from Iran.

In conjunction with International Migrants’ Day, the photograph was unveiled to highlight their struggles and to shift the narrative surrounding refugees.

The image, central to the "Refugees Reframed" campaign, features 11 refugees including comedian Shappi Khorsandi.

It highlights the diverse journeys and resilience of those forced to flee their homelands.

Profiles of resilience: stories of the refugees in focus

Among those who appeared in the photo is a Pakistani immigrant who arrived in the UK in 2007. Usman Khalid is the founder of Haven Coffee, launched in 2019 to bring pop-up coffee shops to London's workspaces and events.

Overcoming significant challenges, including detention, Mr Khalid now uses his business to help refugees in gaining employment and community integration.

DJ Yordi, originally from Eritrea and raised in Ethiopia, has supported stars such as Rihanna and Drake.

His journey to Northern Ireland involved crossing several countries, and since his arrival, he has received support from the local community and Migrant Help.

100,000 migrants cross the Channel in five years - in pictures

Ilir Hoti is the Head of Operations at Clear Voice, a role he has held since 2014. Before joining Clear Voice, Hoti worked in asylum services and was an interpreter.

Madhavi Vadera, who was forced to leave Uganda in the 1970s, is now the chairwoman of the board of trustees at Migrant Help. Her family's journey began with her grandfather migrating from India to Uganda, where they established a successful business.

However, the expulsion of Indians under Idi Amin's regime in 1973 led her family to move to the UK and then to India. Ms Madhavi's dedication to education and overcoming adversity led her to a successful career in accounting.

Inspired by her personal experiences and her son's challenges with dyspraxia, she became involved in charitable work, including setting up the Lifelines foundation and retraining as a psychotherapist specialising in child psychotherapy for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery.

Iranian comedian takes part in the campaign

Comedian Shappi Khorsandi shared her personal experience as a refugee, emphasising its involuntary nature. “No one chooses to be a refugee,” she said.

She recalled the emotional and practical challenges faced by her family as they adjusted to life in the UK, struggling with language barriers and cultural differences.

Her father Hadi Khorsandi is an esteemed Iranian satirist and poet.

His satirical work, which critiqued the political and social climate of Iran, became particularly contentious during the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

The revolution resulted in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty and the establishment of the Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Due to his critical stance against the new regime, Mr Khorsandi faced threats to his life, which led him to seek refuge in the UK with his family, including his daughter Shappi, who was a child at the time.

The experience of being exiles has influenced much of Shappi Khorsandi's own work as a comedian and writer, as she addresses themes of displacement and cultural identity.

Describing her involvement in the photograph as a “privilege”, Ms Khorsandi expressed hope that the image would contribute to “rewriting the refugee story”.

Her goal is to foster a world that recognises the courage and contributions of all people rebuilding their lives in new lands and languages.

Ms Vadera, chair of the board of trustees at Migrant Help, added her perspective, having sought asylum in the UK.

“As someone who sought asylum in the UK from Uganda as a child, this image is a personal testament to the strength that emerges from adversity," she said.

“At Migrant Help, we believe this photograph serves as a powerful reminder that refugees are not mere statistics but people with dreams, talents and the resilience to rebuild their stolen lives.”

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

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Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
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Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm

RESULTS

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Winner: AF Tathoor, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: Aiz Alawda, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohammed Daggash
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
Winner: Somoud, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Al Jazi, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

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The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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Draw for Europa League last-16

Istanbul Basaksehir v Copenhagen; Olympiakos Piraeus v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen; VfL Wolfsburg v Shakhtar Donetsk; Inter Milan v Getafe

Sevilla v AS Roma; Eintracht Frankfurt or Salzburg v Basel; LASK v Manchester United

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

OIL PLEDGE

At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.

MATCH INFO

Norwich 0

Watford 2 (Deulofeu 2', Gray 52')

Red card: Christian Kabasele (WatforD)

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
 

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Profile of Hala Insurance

Date Started: September 2018

Founders: Walid and Karim Dib

Based: Abu Dhabi

Employees: Nine

Amount raised: $1.2 million

Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers

 

Updated: December 19, 2023, 5:46 AM`